Aligning apparatus

ABSTRACT

An aligning apparatus includes a loading plate to load at least one alignment object; first and second alignment bars to align the at least one alignment object loaded on the loading plate, wherein the first and second alignment bars are bent by a force greater than a threshold value when contacting the alignment object; and at least one driving unit to drive the first and second alignment bars in close and open directions toward and away from each other.

The present invention claims the benefit of Korean Patent ApplicationNo. 2003-89853 filed in Korea on Dec. 10, 2003, which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an aligning apparatus, and moreparticularly, to an aligning apparatus for aligning an alignment objectto the aligning apparatus.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

In general, a factory for fabricating display devices utilizes automaticindividual processes to attain mass production, improve workability, andcut down production expenses. The automatic processes automaticallytransfer and align products by employing an automated system, such as aconveyor belt and a robot, to perform the corresponding processes andload the process-completed products, thereby minimizing manualoperations. As a result, products can be mass-produced by a small numberof monitoring workers.

An aligning apparatus for aligning a product in a target position isrequired to fabricate products according to the automated processes. Arelated art aligning apparatus will now be explained with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the related art aligningapparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an alignment object, a firstalignment bar and a second alignment bar are damaged due to collision ofthe alignment object with the first and second alignment bars, when thealignment object is abnormally loaded.

Referring to FIG. 1, the related art aligning apparatus includes aloading plate 10 on which an alignment object 20 is loaded, and firstand second alignment bars 30 and 40 for aligning the alignment object 20loaded on the loading plate 10. Herein, the first and second alignmentbars 30 and 40 are driven in close and open directions in which thealignment bars respectively move toward and away from each other, fortransferring and aligning the alignment object 20 loaded on the loadingplate 10 to a target position. As illustrated in FIG. 2, in the relatedart aligning apparatus, the driving distance of the first and secondalignment bars 30 and 40 is preset according to a size of the alignmentobject 20. In the event that the alignment object 20 is abnormallyloaded on the loading plate 10, that is, for example, a size S1 of theabnormally-loaded alignment object 20 is greater than an isolationdistance D1 when the first and second alignment bars 30 and 40 are mostclose to each other, the alignment object 20 or the first and secondalignment bars 30 and 40 are damaged due to collision of the alignmentobject 20 with the first and second alignment bars 30 and 40. Inaddition, when a defective object having a larger size than the normalalignment object 20 is loaded, the defective object or the first andsecond alignment bars 30 and 40 are damaged due to collision of thedefective object with the first and second alignment bars 30 and 40.

As described above, in the related art aligning apparatus, when theabnormally-loaded alignment object 20 or the defective object isdamaged, the operators must stop an operation of a production line andremove damaged pieces, which results in low productivity. Moreover, whenthe first and second alignment bars 30 and 40 are damaged, the operatorsmust stop an operation of a production line, remove damaged pieces, andperform a process for separating the first and second alignment bars 30and 40 from the aligning apparatus, and coupling new alignment bars. Asa result, productivity is reduced, and maintenance and repair costs forthe aligning apparatus are increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an aligning apparatusthat substantially obviates one or more of the problems due tolimitations an disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide an aligning apparatusto prevent damage to an alignment object and the apparatus itself, whenthe alignment object is abnormally loaded to the aligning apparatus or adefective object is loaded onto the aligning apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an aligningapparatus to prevent damage to a liquid crystal display panel and theapparatus itself, when the liquid crystal display panel is abnormallyloaded or a defective object is loaded.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theobjectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized andattained by the structure particularly pointed out in the writtendescription and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, thealigning apparatus includes a loading plate to load at least onealignment object, first and second alignment bars to align the at leastone alignment object loaded on the loading plate, wherein the first andsecond alignment bars are bent by a force greater than a threshold valuewhen contacting the alignment object, and at least one driving unit todrive the first and second alignment bars in close and open directionstoward and away from each other.

In another aspect, the aligning apparatus includes a loading plate toload at least one alignment object, first and second alignment bars toalign the at least one alignment object on the loading plate, at leastone driving unit to drive the first and second alignment bars in closeand open directions toward and away from each other, and an elastic unitcoupled to at least one of the first and second alignment bars, whereinthe elastic unit is bent by a force greater than a threshold value whenthe first and second alignment bars contact the at least one alignmentobject.

In another aspect, the aligning apparatus includes a loading plate toload at least one alignment object, first and second alignment bars toalign the alignment object loaded on the loading plate, at least onemotor to drive the first and second alignment bars in close and opendirections toward and away from each other, and a control unit tocontrol the at least one motor so that the first and second alignmentbars is able to be transferred in target directions.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a related art aligning apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the related art aligning apparatus ofFIG. 1, wherein an alignment object, a first alignment bar and a secondalignment bar are damaged due to collision of the alignment object withthe first and second alignment bars, when the alignment object isabnormally loaded;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an aligning apparatus in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the aligning apparatus of FIG. 3,wherein an alignment object and first and second alignment bars areprotected by buffering a collision of the alignment object and the firstand second alignment bars, when the alignment object is abnormallyloaded;

FIGS. 5 a to 5 d are exemplary diagrams illustrating various examples offirst and second elastic units of the aligning apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an aligning apparatus inaccordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram illustrating application of the aligningapparatus of FIG. 3 to fabrication of a substrate for a flat paneldisplay device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an aligning apparatus in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is adiagram illustrating the aligning apparatus of FIG. 3, wherein analignment object and first and second alignment bars are protected bybuffering a collision of the alignment object with the first and secondalignment bars, when the alignment object is abnormally loaded.

Referring to FIG. 3, the aligning apparatus of this exemplary embodimentincludes a loading plate 110 on which an alignment object 120 is loaded,first and second alignment bars 130 and 140 for aligning the alignmentobject 120 loaded on the loading plate 110, first and second drivingunits 150 and 160 for driving the first and second alignment bars 130and 140 in close and open directions in which the alignment barsrespectively move toward and away from each other, and first and secondelastic units 170 and 180 disposed between the first and secondalignment bars 130 and 140 and the first and second driving units 150and 160, and bent when the first and second alignment bars 130 and 140receive a force greater than a threshold value.

In accordance with this exemplary embodiment, the first and secondalignment bars 130 and 140 are driven in the close and open directionsin which the alignment bars respectively move toward and away from eachother by the first and second driving units 150 and 160, fortransferring and aligning the alignment object 120 loaded on the loadingplate 110 at a target position. A driving distance of the first andsecond alignment bars 130 and 140 is preset according to a size of thealignment object 120. On the other hand, the first and second drivingunits 150 and 160 include first and second support members 151 and 161coupled to the first and second alignment bars 130 and 140 through thefirst and second elastic units 170 and 180, and first and second motors153 and 163 for driving the first and second support members 151 and 161in closed and distant directions to and from each other through firstand second guide shafts 152 and 162.

As an alternative to the first and second motors 153 and 163, one motormay be installed to drive the first and second support members 151 and161 in the close and open directions toward and away from each otherthrough the first and second guide shafts 152 and 162. This one motorsimultaneously drives the first and second support members 151 and 161in the close and open directions toward and away from each other throughthe first and second guide shafts 152 and 162.

The first and second elastic units 170 and 180 are disposed between thefirst and second support members 151 and 161 and the first and secondalignment bars 130 and 140, and bent by a force greater than thethreshold value when the first and second alignment bars 130 and 140 aredriven in the close direction to each other. As an alternative to thefirst and second elastic units 170 and 180, one elastic unit may beinstalled between the first support member 151 and the first alignmentbar 130 or between the second support member 161 and the secondalignment bar 140. When the first and second alignment bars 130 and 140are driven in the close direction to each other, this one elastic unitis bent by the force greater than the threshold value.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, asshown in FIG. 4, in the event that the alignment object 120 isabnormally loaded, that is, for example, a size S11 of theabnormally-loaded alignment object 120 is greater than an isolationdistance D1 when the first and second alignment bars 130 and 140 aredriven by the first and second driving units 150 and 160 to be closewith each other, the first and second elastic units 170 and 180 disposedbetween the first and second driving units 150 and 160 and the first andsecond alignment bars 130 and 140 are bent to buffer collision of theabnormally-loaded alignment object 120 with the first and secondalignment bars 130 and 140. Accordingly, this exemplary arrangement ofthe present invention is thus able to prevent the alignment object 120and the first and second alignment bars 130 and 140 from being damaged.

Similarly, when a defective object having a larger size than the normalalignment object 120 is loaded, the first and second elastic units 170and 180 disposed between the first and second driving units 150 and 160and the first and second alignment bars 130 and 140 are bent to bufferthe collision of the defective object with the first and secondalignment bars 130 and 140. Thus, damage to the defective object and/orthe first and second alignment bars 130 and 140 is prevented.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the aligning apparatus of this exemplaryembodiment further includes first and second contact-type sensors 131and 141 disposed on the sidewalls of the first and second alignment bars130 and 140 and a control unit 190. The first and second contact-typesensors 131 and 141 contact when the first and second alignment bars 130and 140 are inclined by the bent first and second elastic units 170 and180. The control unit 190 stops driving of the first and secondalignment bars 130 and 140 and drives the first and second alignmentbars 130 and 140 in the open direction away from each other bycontrolling the first and second driving units 150 and 160, when thefirst and second contact-type sensors 131 and 141 contact. As analternative to the first and second contact-type sensors 131 and 141,one contact-type sensor may be disposed on the sidewall of the firstalignment bar 130 or the second alignment bar 140 to make contact whenthe first and second alignment bars 130 and 140 are inclined by the bentfirst and second elastic units 170 and 180.

As described above, when the first and second contact-type sensors 131and 141 contact, the control unit 190 stops driving the first and secondalignment bars 130 and 140 in the close direction toward each other andthen drives the first and second alignment bars 130 and 140 in the opendirection away from each other, by controlling the first and seconddriving units 150 and 160. Therefore, when the alignment object 120 isabnormally loaded or the defective object having a larger size than thenormal alignment object 120 is loaded, the abnormally-loaded alignmentobject 120, the defective object, and the first and second alignmentbars 130 and 140 are not damaged, and an operation of a production linecan be safely stopped.

In addition, the aligning apparatus of this exemplary embodiment furtherincludes first and second alarm generating units 133 and 143 installedto generate an alarm when the first and second contact-type sensors 131and 141 contact. Herein, the first and second alarm generating units 133and 143 may be connected directly to the first and second contact-typesensors 131 and 141 to generate the alarm when the first and secondcontact-type sensors 131 and 141 contact, or may be connected to thecontrol unit 190 to generate the alarm according to the signal from thecontrol unit 190. Accordingly, when the alignment object 120 isabnormally loaded or the defective object having a larger size than thenormal alignment object 120 is loaded, once the first and second alarmgenerating units 133 and 143 generate the alarm, the operators canpromptly resolve any errors.

The preferred examples of the elastic units in the aligning apparatus inaccordance with the present invention will now be explained withreference to FIGS. 5A to 5D. FIGS. 5A to 5D are exemplary diagramsillustrating various examples of the first and second elastic units 170and 180. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, a first example of the elastic unitincludes a support member 251 and an alignment bar 230 coupled by anelastomer 270A. When the support member 251 is driven in one sidedirection, the alignment bar 230 coupled to the support member 251 bythe elastomer 270A transfers an alignment object (120 in FIG. 4) in oneside direction. When a force of transferring the alignment object isapplied to the alignment bar 230, the elastomer 270A is not bent.However, when the alignment object is abnormally loaded or the defectiveobject having a larger size than the normal alignment object is loaded,a force over a threshold value is applied to the alignment bar 230 tobend the elastomer 270A in the opposite direction to the drivingdirection of the support member 251, thereby preventing damages to thealignment object and the alignment bar 230.

As illustrated in FIG. 5B, a second example of the elastic unit includesa support member 251 and an alignment bar 230 coupled by a spring 270B.In this arrangement, when the support member 251 is driven in one sidedirection, the alignment bar 230 coupled to the support member 251 bythe spring 270B transfers the alignment object (120 in FIG. 4) in oneside direction. When a force of transferring the alignment object isapplied to the alignment bar 230, the spring 270B is not bent. However,when the alignment object is abnormally loaded or the defective objecthaving a larger size than the normal alignment object is loaded, a forceover a threshold value is applied to the alignment bar 230 to bend thespring 270B in the opposite direction to the driving direction of thesupport member 251, thereby preventing damage to the alignment object orthe alignment bar 230.

Referring to FIG. 5C, in a third example of the elastic unit, an end ofa horizontal shaft 251B of a support member 251 formed in a reverse “L”shape is coupled to an alignment bar 230 by a connection pin 231, and avertical shaft 25 1A of the support member 251 is coupled to a lowerportion of the alignment bar 230 by a spring 270C. When the supportmember 251 is driven in one side direction, the alignment bar 230coupled to the support member 251 by the connection pin 231 and thespring 270C transfers the alignment object (120 in FIG. 4) in one sidedirection. When a force of transferring the alignment object is appliedto the alignment bar 230, the spring 270C supports the vertical shaft251A of the support member 251 and the lower portion of the alignmentbar 230 so that they are not separated. However, when the alignmentobject is abnormally loaded or the defective object having a larger sizethan the normal alignment object is loaded, a force over a thresholdvalue is applied to the alignment bar 230 to extend the spring 270C sothat an upper portion of the alignment bar 230 can be inclined in theopposite direction to the driving direction of the support member 251,thereby preventing damage to the alignment object or the alignment bar230.

As illustrated in FIG. 5D, in a fourth example of the elastic unit, anend of a horizontal shaft 251B of a support member 251 formed in a ‘T’shape is coupled to an alignment bar 230 by a connection pin 231, and avertical shaft 251A of the support member 251 is coupled to an upperportion of the alignment bar 230 by a spring 270D. When the supportmember 251 is driven in one side direction, the alignment bar 230coupled to the support member 251 by the connection pin 231 and thespring 270D transfers the alignment object (120 in FIG. 4) in one sidedirection. When a force of transferring the alignment object is appliedto the alignment bar 230, the spring 270D supports the vertical shaft251A and the upper portion of the alignment bar 230 so that they do notapproach each other. However, when the alignment object is abnormallyloaded or a defective object having a larger size than the normalalignment object is loaded, a force over a threshold value is applied tothe alignment bar 230 to contract the spring 270D so that the upperportion of the alignment bar 230 can incline in the opposite directionto the driving direction of the support member 251, thereby preventingdamage to the alignment object or the alignment bar 230.

An aligning apparatus in accordance with another exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 6.FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the aligning apparatus in accordancewith this exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the aligning apparatus in accordance with thisexemplary embodiment includes a loading plate 310 on which an alignmentobject 320 is loaded, first and second alignment bars 330 and 340 foraligning the alignment object 320 loaded on the loading plate 310, firstand second motors 353 and 363 for driving the first and second alignmentbars 330 and 340 in close and open directions toward and away from eachother through first and second guide shafts 352 and 362, and a controlunit 390 for measuring load of the first and second motors 353 and 363.When the load is greater than a threshold value, the control unit 390stops driving of the first and second alignment bars 330 and 340 in theclose direction toward each other and then drives the first and secondalignment bars 330 and 340 in the open direction away from each other bycontrolling the first and second motors 353 and 363.

In accordance with this exemplary embodiment, the control unit 390controls driving of the first and second motors 353 and 363, so that thefirst and second alignment bars 330 and 340 can be driven in the closeand open directions toward and away from each other through the firstand second guide shafts 352 and 362, for transferring and aligning thealignment object 320 loaded on the loading plate 310 in a targetposition. As an alternative to the first and second motors 353 and 363of FIG. 6, one motor may be installed to drive the first and secondalignment bars 330 and 340 in the close and open directions through thefirst and second guide shafts 352 and 362. This one motor simultaneouslydrives the first and second alignment bars 330 and 340 in the close andopen directions to and from each other through the first and secondguide shafts 352 and 362. A driving distance of the first and secondalignment bars 330 and 340 driven in the close and open directions bythe first and second motors 353 and 363 is preset according to a size ofthe alignment object 320.

In accordance with this exemplary embodiment, in the event that thealignment object 320 is abnormally loaded, that is, for example, a sizeof the abnormally-loaded alignment object 320 is greater than anisolation distance when the first and second alignment bars 330 and 340are driven by the first and second motors 353 and 363 to be close toeach other, the load of the first and second motors 353 and 363 ismeasured by the control unit 390. When the load is greater than athreshold value, the control unit 390 stops driving the first and secondalignment bars 330 and 340 in the close direction to each other and thendrives the first and second alignment bars 330 and 340 in the opendirection from each other by reversing the first and second motors 353and 363, thereby preventing damage to the abnormally-loaded alignmentobject 320 or the first and second alignment bars 330 and 340. Theoperation of the production line can also be stopped.

Similarly, when a defective object having a larger size than the normalalignment object 320 is loaded, the load of the first and second motors353 and 363 is greater than the threshold value. Therefore, the controlunit 390 measures the load of the first and second motors 353 and 363.When the load is greater than the threshold value, the control unit 390stops driving the first and second alignment bars 330 and 340 in theclose direction toward each other and then drives the first and secondalignment bars 330 and 340 in the open direction away from each other bycontrolling the first and second motors 353 and 363, thereby preventingdamages to the abnormally-loaded alignment object 320 or the first andsecond alignment bars 330 and 340. The operation of the production linecan also be stopped.

Referring back to FIG. 6, the aligning apparatus further includes analarm generating unit 333 for receiving a control signal from thecontrol unit 390 and generating an alarm, when the load of the first andsecond motors 353 and 363 is greater than the threshold value. When thealignment object 320 is abnormally loaded or the defective object havinga larger size than the normal alignment object 320 is loaded, the alarmgenerating unit 333 generates the alarm and the operators can promptlyresolve any errors.

The aligning apparatuses in accordance with the exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention may be applied to an automation factorymanufacturing various products according to automated processes. Forexample, when a fragile substrate used for fabrication of a flat paneldisplay device is automatically transferred and aligned by an automatedsystem such as a conveyor belt and a robot, and various processes areperformed thereon, even if the substrate is abnormally loaded or adefective object having a larger size than the normal substrate isloaded, the substrate or the alignment bars are not damaged.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram illustrating application of the aligningapparatus of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention toproduction of the substrate for a flat panel display device.

Referring to FIG. 7, the aligning apparatus includes a loading plate 410on which a substrate 420 is loaded, first and second support pins 411Aand 411B protruded from the surface of the loading plate 410 forsupporting the substrate 420, first and second alignment bars 430 and440 for aligning the substrate 420 supported by the first and secondsupport pins 411A and 411B, first and second driving units 450 and 460for driving the first and second alignment bars 430 and 440 in close andopen directions that are toward and away from each other, and first andsecond elastic units 470 and 480 disposed between the first and secondalignment bars 430 and 440 and the first and second driving units 450and 460, and bent when the first and second alignment bars 430 and 440receive a force greater than a threshold value. Herein, the substrate420 may be applied to fabrication of the flat panel display device suchas an electro-luminescence display (ELD), a plasma display panel (PDP),a field emission display (FED), a liquid crystal display (LCD), or thelike.

The LCD device displays images by controlling light transmittance ofpixels arranged in a matrix shape by supplying data signals based onimage information to the pixels, respectively. The LCD usually includesan LCD panel on which pixels are arranged in a matrix shape, and adriving circuit for driving the pixels. The LCD panel includes a thinfilm transistor array substrate and a color filter substrate attached toface each other with a regular cell-gap, and a liquid crystal materialformed in the gap between the color filter substrate and the thin filmtransistor array substrate.

The thin film transistor array substrate and the color filter substrateare attached by seal patterns formed along edges of an image displayunit. Herein, a spacer may be formed on the thin film transistor arraysubstrate or the color filter substrate for maintaining the cell-gapbetween the attached thin film transistor array substrate and colorfilter substrate. A polarizing plate and a phase shift plate aredisposed on the outer surfaces of the thin film transistor arraysubstrate and the color filter substrate. The LCD is provided with highluminance and contrast properties by changing light proceeding orrefraction by selectively using the aforementioned components. Commonelectrodes and pixel electrodes are formed on the LCD panel formed onthe thin film transistor array substrate and the color filter substrateto face each other, for applying an electric field to the liquid crystalmaterial. That is, in a state where a controlled voltage is appliedacross the common electrodes and individual pixel electrodes lighttransmittance of the unit pixels can be individually adjusted. In orderto control the voltage applied to the pixel electrodes in each unitpixel, thin film transistors serving as switching elements are formed onthe unit pixels, respectively. Oriented films are formed on the facingsurfaces of the thin film transistor array substrate and the colorfilter substrate and rubbed, so that liquid crystals of the liquidcrystal layer can be arranged in a predetermined direction.

In the fabrication of the LCD devices, a plurality of LCD panels areformed simultaneously by forming a plurality of thin film transistorarray substrates on a first large-sized mother board, forming aplurality of color filter substrates on a second large-sized motherboard, and soldering, cutting and processing the first and second motherboards, which results in a high yield.

When the aligning apparatus of the exemplary embodiment is applied tofabrication of the substrate of the LCD, the first mother board on whichthe plurality of thin film transistor array substrates have been formed,the second mother board on which the plurality of color filtersubstrates have been formed, the attached first and second motherboards, or the LCD panel cut and processed from the attached first andsecond mother boards may be used as the substrate 420 supported by thefirst and second support pins 411A and 411B. Herein, three, four or moresupport pins may be installed to stably support the substrate 420.

As described above, when the aligning apparatus of the exemplaryembodiment is applied to fabrication of the substrate of the flat paneldisplay device, the first and second alignment bars 430 and 440 aredriven in the close and open directions by the first and second drivingunits 450 and 460, for transferring and aligning the substrate 420supported by the first and second support pins 411A and 411B in a targetposition. On the other hand, after the first and second support pins411A and 411B supporting the substrate 420 are lowered to load thesubstrate 420 on the loading plate 410, the first and second alignmentbars 430 and 440 may be driven in the close and open directions by thefirst and second driving units 450 and 460, for transferring andaligning the substrate 420 loaded on the loading plate 410 in a targetposition. A driving distance of the first and second alignment bars 430and 440 driven in the close and open directions by the first and seconddriving units 450 and 460 is preset according to a size of the substrate420.

The first and second driving units 450 and 460 include first and secondsupport members 451 and 461 coupled to the first and second alignmentbars 430 and 440 through the first and second elastic units 470 and 480,and first and second motors 453 and 463 for driving the first and secondsupport members 451 and 461 in close and open directions through firstand second guide shafts 452 and 462. As an alternative to the first andsecond motors 453 and 463 of FIG. 7, one motor may be installed to drivethe first and second support members 451 and 461 in the close and opendirections through the first and second guide shafts 452 and 462. Thisone motor simultaneously drives the first and second support members 451and 461 in the close and open directions through the first and secondguide shafts 452 and 462.

The first and second elastic units 470 and 480 are disposed between thefirst and second support members 451 and 461 of the first and seconddriving units 450 and 460 and the first and second alignment bars 430and 440, and bent by a force greater than a threshold value when thefirst and second alignment bars 430 and 440 are driven in the closedirection to each other. As an alternative to the first and secondelastic units 470 and 480 of FIG. 7, one elastic unit may be installedbetween the first support member 451 of the first driving unit 450 andthe first alignment bar 430 or between the second support member 461 ofthe second driving unit 460 and the second alignment bar 440. This oneelastic unit is bent by a force greater than a threshold value when thefirst and second alignment bars 430 and 440 are driven in the closedirection to each other.

Accordingly, when the aligning apparatus of the first embodiment isapplied to fabrication of the flat panel display device, if thesubstrate 420 is abnormally loaded, that is, for example, a size of theabnormally-loaded substrate 420 is greater than an isolation distancewhen the first and second alignment bars 430 and 440 are driven by thefirst and second driving units 450 and 460 to be closest to each other,the first and second elastic units 470 and 480 disposed between thefirst and second driving units 450 and 460 and the first and secondalignment bars 430 and 440 are bent to buffer a collision of theabnormally-loaded substrate 420 with the first and second alignment bars430 and 440. As a result, the substrate 420 and/or the first and secondalignment bars 430 and 440 are not damaged.

Similarly, when a defective object having a larger size than the normalsubstrate 420 is loaded, the first and second elastic units 470 and 480disposed between the first and second driving units 450 and 460 and thefirst and second alignment bars 430 and 440 are bent for buffering acollision of the defective object with the first and second alignmentbars 430 and 440. Thus, the defective object and/or the first and secondalignment bars 430 and 440 are not damaged.

Herein, the LCD panel cut and processed from the attached first andsecond mother boards of the LCD may be one example of the defectiveobject having a larger size than the normal substrate 420. Burrs mayremain due to defective cutting on the cross sections of the LCD panel.The LCD panel having the burrs on its cross sections may be larger thanthe normal LCD panel. When LCD panel is aligned by the first and secondalignment bars 430 and 440, the first and second alignment bars 430 and440 receive a greater force than the threshold value, and thus the firstand second elastic units 470 and 480 are bent. On the other hand, asshown in FIG. 7, the aligning apparatus further includes first andsecond contact-type sensors 431 and 441 disposed on the sidewalls of thefirst and second alignment bars 430 and 440, and a control unit 490. Thefirst and second contact-type sensors 431 and 441 contact when the firstand second alignment bars 430 and 440 are inclined by the bent first andsecond elastic units 470 and 480. The control unit 490 is additionallyinstalled to stop driving the first and second alignment bars 430 and440 in the close direction to each other and to drive the first andsecond alignment bars 430 and 440 in the distant direction from eachother by controlling the first and second driving units 450 and 460,when the first and second contact-type sensors 431 and 441 contact.

As described above, when the first and second contact-type sensors 431and 441 contact, the control unit 490 stops driving the first and secondalignment bars 430 and 440 in the close direction to each other and thendrives the first and second alignment bars 430 and 440 in the distantdirection from each other, by controlling the first and second drivingunits 450 and 460. Therefore, when the substrate 420 is abnormallyloaded or the defective object having a larger size than the normalsubstrate 420 is loaded, the abnormally-loaded substrate 420, thedefective object, and/or the first and second alignment bars 430 and 440are not damaged, and an operation of a production line can be safelystopped.

In addition, the aligning apparatus further includes first and secondalarm generating units 433 and 443 installed to generate an alarm whenthe first and second contact-type sensors 431 and 441 contact. Herein,the first and second alarm generating units 433 and 443 are connecteddirectly to the first and second contact-type sensors 431 and 441 togenerate the alarm when the first and second contact-type sensors 431and 441 contact, or connected to the control unit 490 to generate thealarm according to the signal from the control unit 490. Accordingly,when the substrate 420 is abnormally loaded or the defective objecthaving a larger size than the normal substrate 420 is loaded, if thefirst and second alarm generating units 433 and 443 generate the alarm,the operators can promptly take necessary actions. The various examplesshown in FIGS. 5A through 5D may be used as the first and second elasticunits 470 and 480.

Since application of the aligning apparatus of the exemplary embodimentto fabrication of the substrate of the flat panel display device hasbeen described in detail with reference to FIG. 7, although notexplained, application of the aligning apparatus of the other exemplaryembodiment to fabrication of the substrate of the flat panel displaydevice is easily understood by those skilled in the art to which thepresent invention pertains.

As discussed earlier, in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, when the alignment object is abnormally loaded or thedefective object having a larger size than the normal alignment objectis loaded, the elastic units are bent to incline the alignment bars,thereby preventing damage to the abnormally-loaded alignment object, thedefective object, and the first and second alignment bars. In addition,the alarm is generated to notify any error to the operators

In accordance with the other exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, the load of the motors driving the alignment bars ismeasured. When the alignment object is abnormally loaded or thedefective object having a larger size than the normal alignment objectis loaded and the load of the motors is greater than the thresholdvalue, the alignment bars are stopped and driven to the initialpositions, thereby preventing damages to the abnormally-loaded alignmentobject, the defective object, and/or the first and second alignmentbars. Also, the alarm is generated to notify any error to the operators.

As a result, in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, productivity is improved by omitting the process for removingdamaged pieces and the process for separating the damaged alignment barsfrom the aligning apparatus and coupling new alignment bars, which areperformed when the alignment object or the alignment bars are damaged.Furthermore, it is possible to decrease the maintenance and repair costsfor the aligning apparatus due to damage and replacement of thecomponents

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the aligning apparatus ofthe present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of theinvention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover themodifications and variations of this invention provided they come withinthe scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. An aligning apparatus, comprising: a loading plate to load at least one alignment object; first and second alignment bars to align the at least one alignment object loaded on the loading plate, wherein the first and second alignment bars are bent by a force greater than a threshold value when contacting the alignment object; and at least one driving unit to drive the first and second alignment bars in close and open directions toward and away from each other.
 2. The aligning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the alignment object is a substrate of a flat panel display device.
 3. The aligning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the alignment object is a substrate of a liquid crystal display device.
 4. The aligning apparatus of claim 3, wherein the substrate of the liquid crystal display device is one of a first mother board having a plurality of thin film transistor array substrates, a second mother board having a plurality of color filter substrates, a substrate consisting of the attached first and second mother boards, and a liquid crystal display panel cut and processed from attached first and second mother boards.
 5. The aligning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second alignment bars each include an elastic unit that is able to be bent by a force greater than the threshold value when the first and second alignment bars contact the at least one alignment object.
 6. The aligning apparatus of claim 5, wherein the elastic unit is disposed between the first alignment bar and the driving unit and between the second alignment bar and the driving unit.
 7. The aligning apparatus of claim 6, wherein the driving unit includes: first and second support members coupled to the first and second alignment bars, and coupled to any one of the first and second alignment bars through the elastic unit; and at least one motor to drive the first and second support members in the close and open directions through first and second guide shafts.
 8. The aligning apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a contact-type sensor that is activated when the first and second alignment bars are bent.
 9. The aligning apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a control unit that drives the first and second alignment bars in the open direction from each other when the contact-type sensor is activated.
 10. The aligning apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an alarm generating unit that generates an alarm when the contact-type sensor is activated.
 11. The aligning apparatus of claim 5, wherein the elastic unit is an elastomer coupled between the first alignment bar and the driving unit and between the second alignment bar and the driving unit.
 12. The aligning apparatus of claim 5, wherein the elastic unit includes a spring coupled between the first alignment bar and the driving unit and between the second alignment bar and the driving unit.
 13. The aligning apparatus of claim 5, wherein the elastic unit includes a spring, a connection pin, and a support member disposed at the driving unit and provided with a first shaft and a second shaft, the spring being coupled between the first shaft and a lower portion of the first alignment bar and between the first shaft and a lower of the second alignment bar, the second shaft coupled to at least one of a center of the first alignment bar and a center of the second alignment bar by the connection pin.
 14. The aligning apparatus of claim 5, wherein the elastic unit includes a spring, a connection pin, and a support member disposed at the driving unit and provided with a first shaft and a second shaft, the spring being coupled between the first shaft and an upper portion of the first alignment bar and between the first shaft and an upper portion of the second alignment bar, the second shaft coupled to at least one of a center of the first alignment bar and a center of the second alignment bar by the connection pin.
 15. The aligning apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of support pins protruded from a surface of the loading plate to support the at least one alignment object.
 16. The aligning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the flat panel display device is one of an electro-luminescence display, a plasma display panel, a field emission display and a liquid crystal display device.
 17. An aligning apparatus, comprising: a loading plate to load at least one alignment object; first and second alignment bars to align the at least one alignment object on the loading plate; at least one driving unit to drive the first and second alignment bars in close and open directions toward and away from each other; and an elastic unit coupled to at least one of the first and second alignment bars, wherein the elastic unit is bent by a force greater than a threshold value when the first and second alignment bars contact the at least one alignment object.
 18. The aligning apparatus of claim 17, wherein the alignment object is a substrate of a liquid crystal display device.
 19. The aligning apparatus of claim 18, wherein the substrate of the liquid crystal display is one of a first mother board having a plurality of thin film transistor array substrates, a second mother board having a plurality of color filter substrates, a substrate formed by attaching first and second mother boards, and a liquid crystal display panel formed by cutting attached first and second mother boards.
 20. The aligning apparatus of claim 19, wherein the driving unit includes: first and second support members coupled to the first and second alignment bars, and coupled to at least one of the first and second alignment bars through the elastic unit; and at least one motors to drive the first and second support members in the close and open directions through first and second guide shafts.
 21. The aligning apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a contact-type sensor that is activated when the elastic unit is bent.
 22. The aligning apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a control unit to drive the first and second alignment bars in the open direction when the contact-type sensor is activated.
 23. The aligning apparatus of claim 21, further comprising an alarm generating unit to generate an alarm when the contact-type sensor is activated.
 24. The aligning apparatus of claim 17, wherein the elastic unit is an elastomer coupled between the first alignment bar and the driving unit and between the second alignment bar and the driving unit.
 25. The aligning apparatus of claim 17, wherein the elastic unit is a spring coupled between the first alignment bar and the driving unit and between the second alignment bar and the driving unit.
 26. The aligning apparatus of claim 17, wherein the elastic unit includes a spring, a connection pin, and a support member disposed at the driving unit and provided with a first shaft and a second shaft, the spring being coupled between the first shaft and a lower portion of the first alignment bar and between the first shaft and a lower of the second alignment bar, the second shaft coupled to at least one of a center of the first alignment bar and a center of the second alignment bar by the connection pin.
 27. The aligning apparatus of claim 17, wherein the elastic unit includes a spring, a connection pin, and a support member disposed at the driving unit and provided with a first shaft and a second shaft, the spring being coupled between the first shaft and an upper portion of the first alignment bar and between the first shaft and an upper portion of the second alignment bar, the second shaft coupled to at least one of a center of the first alignment bar and a center of the second alignment bar by the connection pin.
 28. The aligning apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a plurality of support pins protruded from a surface of the loading plate to support the at least one alignment object.
 29. The aligning apparatus of claim 17, wherein the alignment object is a substrate of a flat panel display device.
 30. The aligning apparatus of claim 29, wherein the flat panel display device is one of an electro-luminescence display, a plasma display panel, a field emission display and a liquid crystal display device.
 31. An aligning apparatus, comprising: a loading plate to load at least one alignment object; first and second alignment bars to align the alignment object loaded on the loading plate; at least one motor to drive the first and second alignment bars in close and open directions toward and away from each other; and a control unit to control the at least one motor so that the first and second alignment bars is able to be transferred in target directions.
 32. The aligning apparatus of claim 31, wherein the alignment object is a substrate of a flat panel display device.
 33. The aligning apparatus of claim 31, wherein the alignment object is a substrate of a liquid crystal display device.
 34. The aligning apparatus of claim 33, wherein the substrate of the liquid crystal display is any one of a first mother board having a plurality of thin film transistor array substrates, a second mother board having a plurality of color filter substrates, a substrate formed by attaching the first and second mother boards, and a liquid crystal display panel formed by cutting attached first and second mother boards.
 35. The aligning apparatus of claim 31, further comprising an alarm generating unit to receive a control signal from the control unit and generate an alarm, when load of the at least one motor is greater than a threshold value.
 36. The aligning apparatus of claim 31, further comprising a plurality of support pins protruded from a surface of the loading plate to support the at least one alignment object.
 37. The aligning apparatus of claim 32, wherein the flat panel display device is one of an electro-luminescence display, a plasma display panel, a field emission display and a liquid crystal display device.
 38. The aligning apparatus of claim 31, wherein the control unit measures load of the at least one motor, and causes the at least one motor to drive the first and second alignment bars in the open direction away from each other when the load is greater than a threshold value. 